The Children and Family Unit at Benson Psychological Services is a dedicated team of psychologists, social workers, counselors, addiction counselors, and marriage and family therapists with years of experience treating children, adolescents, and families. We offer both therapy and specialized evaluations. Our evaluations are culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and grounded in advanced clinical training. We believe in a collaborative process, working closely with parents, teachers, and other professionals to provide a complete picture of your child’s needs and to develop a clear path forward.
Children’s
Services
Our Children's Services
Autism Evaluations and Follow Up
These evaluations include a thorough assessment of the child-focusing on; cognitive issues, social communication (verbal and non-verbal), speech and language (receptive and expressive language skills) using norm referenced measures, observations, and interview of the child. Additionally, collateral interviews with the child’s parents or caregivers focusing on relevant case history such as health and development, social/behavioral concerns, sensory and adaptive behavior, emotion regulation, family medical and mental health history and other relevant data. Collateral interviews with the child’s teacher and input from a full multidisciplinary team is sought out and included whenever possible.
ADHD Evaluations: On and Off Medication Trials
These evaluations include a thorough gathering of relevant background information from client and/or collateral sources on topics such as school/work performance general health, sleep and eating habits, family medical and mental health history, drug use, challenges/symptoms, strengths/skills, screening for related and comorbid conditions. Collateral information from parents, teachers, spouse or others will be utilized using interviews, norm referenced questionnaires and / or rating scales. They also include measures of sustained attention and variability using a continuous performance task and other norm referenced psychological testing as appropriate.
Executive Functioning Deficits
Executive Functioning Deficit is not a disorder. It is a word used to describe a condition associated with specific weaknesses in the brain’s self-management system, that impact learning and everyday life because of the effect they have on a set of mental skills that are critical to learning. Children who have trouble with executive function often struggle with working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.
Complex Trauma
Clinical Interview with the child and collateral interviews with parents or caregivers, as well as standardized assessment measures and behavioral observations to assess both exposure to, and the potential impact of, trauma across multiple domains of development.
Diagnostic Clarification
Our team can also help with complex diagnostic issues, such as where multiple co existing psychological disorders are suspected, when there are suspected psychological disorders secondary to medical conditions or substance abuse/dependence, or where other factors have made it difficult to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Psychodiagnostic testing enhances diagnostic accuracy by controlling for subjective opinion, biases and other factors. It uses highly reliable, norm referenced, standardized tests that have been validated in clinical trials.
In addition to diagnostic clarity, such evaluations can grade the severity of the impairment which can lead to using the pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment recommendations that have the highest likelihood of success.
Meet Our Children’s Services Team

Dr. Stone

Jamie

Randi

Joely

Kasidy
